Outside the park, the Kalapana viewing area at the end of Highway 130 has changed its hours and is now open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with cars permitted to enter until 8 p.m. — leaving just enough time to hike to the viewing site, relish the sight of lava running into the sea (or perhaps just the plumes from where it hits the water) and then returnover the rough terrain to the parking area (bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes). You can get an idea of where the lava is flowing from the county’s Kilauea Eruption Update Web site, which at this writing was last updated Jan. 29, 2009. Once you’re on island, though, be sure to call (808) 961-8093 for the county’s Lava Hotline, which is updated daily; Pele, like Mother Nature, is capricious and conditions can change quickly.

HTA / Tor Johnson

Lava enters the sea.

Inside the park, which is open 24 hours a day, the plume from the ongoing eruption at Kilauea’s Halema’uma’u Crater may also have a rosy glow at night. You can read the detailed, daily scientific report on conditions here, but for a sightseer’s update, call (808) 967-8862 on the day you plan to visit.

And on most Tuesday nights, you can also learn more about the unique environment of the park and the islands during almost-free ($1 donation requested) talks at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

The February lineup includes “Crystals From Volcanic Gas: The Amazing Alchemy of Lava Tubes” on Feb. 17, in which UH-Hilo professor Ken Hon reveals the distinctive mineral crystals of laval tubes using X-rays and electron microscope images; and “What’s Stinging in Hawaii’s National Parks” on Feb. 24, a presentation by David Foote, ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Centipedes, spiders and wasps were unwanted introductions to the islands, so Foote’s program will look at programs to prevent new nasty beasties from entering the islands and efforts to quash those that have already made their painful presence known.

Called “After Dark in the Park,” the programs begin at 7 p.m., and park admission fees apply. Click here for the latest lineup.